Dancing hopefuls take their first steps in Strictly Oxford contest

STRICTLY Oxford’s 2014 hopefuls slipped on their dancing shoes this weekend for their first cha-cha-cha.

Contestants were partnered with semi-professional performers and given their first lesson with instructor Andrzej Mialkowski.

The Strictly Come Dancing-inspired fundraiser take place on April 27 at the New Theatre in aid of Sandford-on-Thames nursing home Vale House, a 40-bed specialist care centre that supports people with severe forms of dementia.

Last year, the event raised more than £40,000 and this time organisers have set their sights on an ambitious £100,000.

Headteacher of Windmill Primary School in Headington Lynn Knapp, 54, below with dancer Nick Li, is one of the 16 contestants.

She was involved in the Strictly Junior competition earlier this month and said: “I was one of the two teachers who had to be taught to do the cha-cha-cha and the waltz so we could teach the children. I couldn’t wait to be involved in the adult version.”

Mr Mialkowski, who owns Step By Step Dance School in Headington, will be taking six weeks of rehearsals starting on March 15. He said: “The most important thing is for everybody to enjoy themselves and raise some money for charity.”